Process of making packing material and product



. Nov. 18, 1930. H. R. WILLIAMS 1,731,797

PROCESS OF MAKING PACKING MATERIAL AND PRODUCT Filed larch 22. 1927 HA/Li/s Y mam Patented Nov. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES HARRISON H. WILLIAMS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROCESS OF MAKING PACKING MATERIAL AND PRODUCT.

Application filed March 22, 1927. Serial No. 177,267.

My present invention relates to packing for fragile articles and although suitable for a Variety of other uses as will be obvious, is particularly adapted as a packing for candy and other foo-d materials of fragile nature. In its preferred embodiment, my improved packing has a backing of thin, relatively strong fabric and also a top layer, which may be of paper. My invention also contemplates in a top coating having its exterior surface dyed or tinted to enhance its ornamental value and, in order to give the desired depth of color to such outer surface, of tinting the top surface of the padding layer prior to the application of the outer layer or coating.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent hereinafter.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view showing a portion of an illustrative embodime'nt thereof,

Figure 2 is a cross sectional View seen as for;1 example along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, an a Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a machine for forming my improved packing.

In the drawing, 1 denotes the inner pad din layer of soft loosely felted fibers the ma or portion of which, preferably is of digested wood fibers or cellucotton and which preferably have been brought in a condition of great cubical lightness as is disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 111,390,

' filed May 24, 1926. As seen in Figure 2, the

padding 1 is contained within a backing layer 2 and a top layer 3, preferably both of paper. If desired, the lower backing member 2 may be made of wax paper which would be of advantage where the packing was used as candy wadding or for packing other food materials. Preferably also, the outer surface of the packing is embossed as shown in Figure 1, the lines of indentation produced preferably extending into close proximity of the backing 2. As pointed out in a further application, Serial No. 173,908, filedMarch 9,1927,

this construction gives increased strength and resiliency to the -packing.

Referring now to Figure 3 which illustrates my preferred method of making the packing, a fabric of the pulped material is first formed on the lower surface of the endless, travelling, foraminous belt 10. This is accomplished by introducing the pnlped material in the form of a suspension in air, which is fed through a conduit 11 be neath the belt 10. A suction chamber is formed in part by the lower course of belt 10 and a housing 13, such chamber being connected with a source of suctionthrough pipe 14. The'fabric having been thus formed, it is separated from the belt 10 by the continued rotation of same and with the assistanceof a roll 16 and is fed out onto a. backing layer 17. The latter is fed from a supply roll 18 and over a gum box 19 and brought beneath the padding layer which may now be designated 20.

Layer 20 is now preferably tinted, when such is desired, for which purpose I may use a spray nozzle 22. By this means the dye,

as is preferred, does not penetrate the entire thickness of the padding; The latter now travels beneath rolls 24, 25, the upper of which serves to apply the upper layer or coating 26 which is fed from a supply roll 27 and is gummed at 28. The now assembled sheet is caused to pass beneath the embossing rolls 29, 30, the upper one of which serving to produce the indented character of the packing. As shown tables 31, 31* and 31 serve to support the composite sheet as it is being formed. Preferably, and as shown in my c0 -pending application Serial No. 173,908, referred to, the indenting is carried to a point"where the outer layer is very nearly in contact with the backing layer, such construction making for increased resiliency and strength.

Various changes may be madein the detailed description above given. If desired, the tinting of the intermediate layer may be omitted and the color of the top layer re- I lied upon to give the desired shade. -However, when tinting the upper surface only of the paddinglayer, an advantage is gained over dyeing the material all the way through, as in the former case a white color is presented next to the candy or other food material. Moreover, the described operation is materially cheaper than if the entire padding layer were colored. Furthermore, as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 173,909 referred to, I may form the outer layer out of the padding material itself, using for that purpose a thickening agent, in which case I would rely upon the dyeing or tinting of the padding layer to give the desired color.

A separate top layer of paper or other fabric is to be preferred in many cases, as it can be given a glossier surfacethan in the case of the skin of thickened padding mentioned.

I claim:

1. A packing sheet for fragile articles consisting of soft, loosely felted fibers and a back ing of relatively strong fabric, said soft material having its outer surface dyed, and having a tinted outer covering, the color of said soft material reinforcing that of said outer covering.

2. A packing sheet for fragile articles consisting of soft loosely felted fibers and a backing of relatively strong fabric, said soft material having its outer surface dyed and an outer coverin of relatively strong partly translucent fa%ric.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature to this specification.

HARRISON R. WILLIAMS. 

